03 Magazine: December 01, 2025

THE
SOUTH
ISLAND
LIFESTYLE
MAGAZINE
FREE | DEC 2025 / JAN 2026
MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER WITH THE SOUTH ISLAND’S BEST SWIMMING SPOTS | CELEBRATED CHEF AND FISH/FISHING FANATIC
AL BROWN SHARES HIS LIFELONG PASSION AND FAVOURITE WAYS TO COOK UP A CATCH | INSIDE CHRISTCHURCH ART GALLERY’S
AWE-INSPIRING ARCHIVES | GREEN WITH ENVY: THE LUXURIOUSLY LODGE-Y HOLIDAY HOME ON GIBBSTON VALLEY GOLF COURSE
SPICED PORK BELLY AND PISTACHIO & ROSE MERINGUES: ICONIC EATERY FATIMA’S LETS US IN ON ITS SOUGHT-AFTER SECRET RECIPES

Qestral Activities...
out of the ordinary
New Generation Lifestyle Villages...

Qestral residents recently enjoyed two “out-of-theordinary”
adventures — a visit to the New Zealand
Raptor Experience in Timaru and a stay at Maruia
Hot Springs that included claybird shooting.
The group typically provides residents with
engaging experiences, a vision recognised by the
Eldercare Innovation Award at the 2025 World
Ageing Festival in Singapore — for its TRILife
activities programme.
qestral.co.nz | alpineview.co.nz | banburypark.co.nz
Performance by Epic Entertainment
burlingtonvillage.co.nz | coastalview.co.nz | ashburyheights.co.nz

Hello
Like proud Southlander, author and writer of our cover
feature Nicola McCloy, I (a proud Nelsonian) am an outdoor
swimming enthusiast (though with more than 150 spots around
the motu for splashing into in her excellent new book Jump In,
she has definitely covered more ground, or should I say water).
New Zealand has between 15,000 and 18,000 kilometres of
coastline, almost 4000 lakes and 180,000 kilometres of rivers, so we’re
incredibly spoiled for choice when it comes to destinations for a dip.
And as Nicola says (on page 22), swimming doesn’t discriminate
by age (or anything else for that matter), is great for physical and
mental health and offers an easy way to get a different view of the
world (though I’m not sure I’m as keen as her to see stingrays, I’d
happily take a dolphin encounter any day).
Outdoor swimming is a great way to cool down (especially in
South Island waters, brr), calm down and gently re-energise, and
I for one will be taking Nicola’s advice and ensuring I always have
togs and a towel in the car this summer, to make the most of our
luck to live in an aquatic paradise.
Speaking of water-based passions, beloved NZ chef Al Brown
shares his lifelong love of both fish and fishing from page 32,
along with some of his absolute favourite ways to cook up a catch.
Further delicious recipes abound from page 48 (selected
with the upcoming Kiwi Christmas season in mind – think
pomegranate, lime and avocado crudo, spiced pork belly and
pistachio & rose meringues) from cult Auckland eatery Fatima’s.
That’s it from the 03 team until the new year, so a very merry
summer – featuring all of the above – to our readers.
Enjoy!
PUBLISHER
Charlotte Smith-Smulders
Allied Press Magazines
Level 1, 359 Lincoln Road, Christchurch
03 379 7100
EDITOR
Josie Steenhart
josie@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz
DESIGNERS
Annabelle Rose, Hannah Mahon
PROOFREADER
Laura Griffiths
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Janine Oldfield
027 654 5367
janine@alliedpressmagazines.co.nz
CONTRIBUTORS
Al Brown, Hope McConnell, Isaac Norton,
John Collie, Kim Dungey, Kirsty Senior,
Nicola McCloy, Paul Gorman, Peter McIntosh,
Sophie Gilmour, Vanessa Wu
Every month, 03 (ISSN 2816-0711) shares the latest in lifestyle, home,
food, fashion, beauty, arts and culture with its discerning readers.
Enjoy 03 online (ISSN 2816-072X) at 03magazine.co.nz
Allied Media is not responsible for any actions taken
on the information in these articles. The information and views expressed in this publication
are not necessarily the opinion of Allied Media or its editorial contributors.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information within this magazine, however,
Allied Media can accept no liability for the accuracy of all the information.
Josie Steenhart, editor
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8 Magazine | Contents
In this issue
18
COVER FEATURE
22 Making a splash
Dive into six South Island swimming spots
Resene
Upside
COLOURS OF
THE MONTH
DISCOVER
32 Go fish
Chef and fishing fanatic Al
Brown shares korero and recipes
HEALTH & BEAUTY
20 Top shelf
The potions and lotions we’re
testing and loving
DESIGN & INTERIORS
40 Tiny trailblazer
The fully electric Fiat 500e is
made for city living
42 On the green
A luxurious holiday home in
Gibbston Valley wins gold
FOOD
48 Feed me Fatima’s
Whip up flavours from this
foodie hotspot at home
RecoveR youR
loved fuRnituRe
Quality fuRnituRe specialists
www.qualityfurniture.co.nz
Monday - tHuRsday 7.00am-4.30pm | fRiday 8.00am-12.00pm
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Putting Things into Perspective:
The Art of the Annual Review
It’s November as I pen this and
we all know it’s not long till
Christmas trees go up, carols
feature on repeat in shopping
malls and people turn their
minds to the holidays ahead.
But it’s also a time when our
leadership team starts one of the
year’s most vital processes; that
being the task – and it’s often a big
one – of reviewing… everything!!
Put simply, we look at both the calendar
and financial year, casting a discerning
and curious eye over our journey. We
measure our goals and intentions,
and their achievement or otherwise,
our timeframes and accountability,
mindsets and wellbeing, for ourselves
and our teams.
It’s a big team and a big undertaking
that takes time, perseverance and selfawareness,
as well as considerable
quantities of analytical data. Some
people love data and are particularly
good at analysing it, and I’ve been told on
numerous occasions that ‘data doesn’t
lie’, but neither do people's faces or
actions when they are travelling through
a very difficult or successful period.
I tend to focus on people first. It’s a value
we hold ourselves to and focussing
on this gives us the chance to see if
the direction we’ve determined at the
beginning of the year is resonating with
the team we're leading and the clients
we are representing.
It allows us to consider what the next
steps are because it’s easy to be different,
but much more difficult to be better.
So, how have we done?
From a sales and recognition perspective,
it’s been a strong year, reflecting the hard
work of a world-class team and firstclass
leadership. Our Papanui office has
been recognised as the number-one
residential office in New Zealand, as well
as the number-one office internationally
out of almost 900 offices for our brand,
and the number-one big office across all
brands in New Zealand. We also have the
number-one franchise for productivity,
which is measured in the industry as
‘income per sales consultant’ and I like
to think it’s the sharing that occurs within
the company that allows everyone to
flourish, not just a few.
All of this culminates in what I know to
be true: 95% of success is hard work,
often it’s not much fun, it's hard and
challenging but that creates growth,
and that, after all, is the purpose of this
annual review. How do we get better,
growing our teams and our market
share, whilst not losing touch with the
people that matter the most to us?
The strategies and work required are
immense and as with anyone in business,
there have also been some lows.
For me personally, I have the first
anniversary of losing my mother coming
up very shortly.
That loss and my desire to live life with
care and intention sit at the heart of my
own personal review. To find out more
about our business review, join me in
the months ahead.
Meanwhile, enjoy December, when it
comes. After all, as entrepreneur Chris
Grosser says: “Opportunities don’t
happen, you create them.”
Lynette McFadden
Harcourts gold Business Owner
027 432 0447
lynette.mcfadden@harcourtsgold.co.nz
PAPANUI 352 6166 | INTERNATIONAL DIVISION (+64) 3 662 9811 | REDWOOD 352 0352 | PARKLANDS 383 0406 |
SPITFIRE SQUARE 662 9222 | STROWAN 351 0585 | GOLD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 352 6454 |
SPITFIRE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 027 772 1188
GOLD REAL ESTATE GROUP LTD LICENSED AGENT REAA 2008 A MEMBER OF THE HARCOURTS GROUP
harcourtsgold.co.nz

10 Magazine | Contents
42
OUR COVER
St Clair Hot Salt Water
Pool, Dunedin.
Photo: Dunedin NZ
Resene
Seaweed
READ US ONLINE
48
Resene
Rebel
ARTS & CULTURE
54 Archives on show
Take a peek into Christchurch Art
Gallery’s awe-inspiring archives
60 A new edition
Landfall Tauraka celebrates 250
issues and a new title
64 Book club
Great reads to please even the
pickiest of bookworms
REGULARS
12 Newsfeed
What’s up, in, chat-worthy, cool,
covetable and compelling right now
18 Most wanted
A few of our favourite things
FIND US ON SOCIAL
03magazine.co.nz | @03_magazine
GET A COPY
Want 03 Magazine delivered straight
to your mailbox? Contact:
charlotte@alliedmedia.co.nz
and a bright new year!

䌀 䔀 䰀 䔀 䈀 刀 䄀 吀 䔀 夀 伀 唀 刀 䌀 唀 刀 嘀 䔀 匀
圀 䤀 吀 䠀 伀 唀 刀 一 䔀 圀 娀 䔀 䄀 䰀 䄀 一 䐀
䐀 䔀 匀 䤀 䜀 一 䔀 刀 䰀 䄀 䈀 䔀 䰀 匀
䘀 爀 漀 洀 䐀 攀 攀 愀 渀 渀 攀 䠀 漀 戀 戀 猀 Ⰰ 䰀 漀 漀 戀 椀 攀 猀 匀 琀 漀 爀 礀
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娀 攀 戀 爀 愀 渀 漀 挀 甀 爀 愀 琀 攀 猀 挀 漀 氀 氀 攀 挀 琀 椀 漀 渀 猀 琀 栀 愀 琀
攀 洀 戀 爀 愀 挀 攀 礀 漀 甀 爀 挀 甀 爀 瘀 攀 猀 愀 渀 搀 洀 愀 欀 攀
礀 漀 甀 昀 攀 攀 氀 昀 愀 戀 甀 氀 漀 甀 猀 ⸀ 伀 甀 爀 䌀 栀 爀 椀 猀 琀 挀 栀 甀 爀 挀 栀
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匀 攀 攀 礀 漀 甀 猀 漀 漀 渀 愀 琀 㜀 嘀 椀 挀 琀 漀 爀 椀 愀 匀 琀 爀 攀 攀 琀 ℀
稀 攀 戀 爀 愀 渀 漀
眀 眀 眀 ⸀ 稀 攀 戀 爀 愀 渀 漀 ⸀ 挀 漀 ⸀ 渀 稀
㜀 嘀 椀 挀 琀 漀 爀 椀 愀 匀 琀 爀 攀 攀 琀
䌀 栀 爀 椀 猀 琀 挀 栀 甀 爀 挀 栀

12 Magazine | Newsfeed
Newsfeed
What’s up, in, chat-worthy, cool, covetable and compelling right now,
specially compiled for those in the south.
Self serve sips
Visitors to Queenstown have a new reason to raise a glass with
LyLo’s rooftop bar unveiling New Zealand’s first-ever self-pour
cocktail and beer wall – redefining the way guests enjoy their drinks.
This innovative system gives guests complete control over what and
when they drink. Simply tap your card, pour craft beers, ciders or
signature cocktails, and take in sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu
and the Remarkables. “We’re always looking for ways to make a
difference and redefine what a stay at LyLo looks like,” says managing
director Tim Alpe. “Our new rooftop kitchen leans into this
alongside what we believe is New Zealand’s first accommodation
self-pour wall. We’ve been trialling the technology at LyLo Brisbane,
and our customers are raving about the experience.”
lylo.com
Remarkably delicious
From classic Kiwi flavours reimagined
to unexpected new creations, The
Remarkable Chocolate Co.’s range
of locally made Christmas chocolate
has something sweet for every New
Zealander. New limited-edition bark
flavours include Double Choc Candy
Cane, Kiwi Pavlova, Spiced Apple
Crumble and Salted Pistachio &
Cranberry, and all Smash Barks come
with their own wooden hammer so
you can smash, crack and share the
fun. “Our Christmas range is inspired
by the flavours we grew up with,” says
managing director Mike Briant. “We
wanted to create delicious treats that
feel familiar, nostalgic and unmistakably
Kiwi this summer, and designed them
to be shared with family and friends
over a relaxing festive season.
remarkablechocolate.com
Baa-utiful spaces
You can read the full story complete
with insider intel in the October issue
of 03, but we’re delighted to announce
Wānaka-based sheepskin wunderkinds
Wilson & Dorset are officially set
up in their stunning new retail store
upstairs from another South Island fave
Frances Nation in Christchurch’s The
Arts Centre. Pop in for a look (and a
touch or maybe a sit/lie down – you
won’t be able to help yourself) and
the team will help you find the perfect
pile, shade and shape of luxe sheepskin
homewares, from rugs, throws and
cushions to beanbags, foot stools and
even slippers, for your space.
wilsondorset.com
Get your motor running
Bit of a rev-head but also fancy the finer
things in life? The annual Ayrburn Classic
might just be the event for you – a
celebration of motoring heritage and
innovation and a showcase of some of
the country’s rarest, most exceptional,
interesting, important and unique
automobiles organised into 14 categories
(just as an example, we’ve heard more
than 50 Ferraris have already registered)
with a sophisticated festival vibe, set
against the spectacular backdrop of one of
New Zealand’s finest hospitality precincts.
ayrburn.com

Discover the Allure of Spain &Portugal.
28 Days fully escorted
Departing 12 June 2026
Your Curated Journey Includes:
• Return economy air travel to/from Auckland or
Christchurch
• Economy flights Barcelona/Málaga and Seville/Lisbon
• All applicable airline taxes as at todays date
• All private transfers through-out whilst on tour
• All accommodation in 4.5/5-star central hotels inc
breakfast•
• 2 Nights Dubai | 4 Nights Barcelona | 4 Nights Málaga | 3
Nights Cádiz | 3 Nights Seville | 3 Nights Lisbon
• 7-night luxury Avalon River Cruise on the Duoro, including
all meals, sightseeing select beverages with lunch & dinner,
prepaid gratuities & port taxes, Category D
• All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
• All meals as specified in the itinerary
• Welcome and Farewell Group dinner
• Excursions and inclusions as shown in itinerary
• Services and expertise of 2 personal experienced tour
leaders
• Unforgettable experiences, and unique and special
surprises along the way
Come & visit us instore to book today!
Shop 11, 1005 Ferry Road, Ferrymead
melissa@youferrymead.co.nz 03 384 2700
Terms and conditions: Pricing & Itinerary subject to change due to currency availability changes. Tour costs
are based on 16 people travelling. A non-refundable deposit of $2,500 per person is required at the time of
confirmation. General conditions: All offers are subject to availability & currency fluctuation & may by amended or
withdrawn at any time without notice. Whilst every care is taken to accurately present the information & pricing,
we reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions. See us in store for further details, terms and conditions.

14 Magazine | Newsfeed
Kisi, kisi
Little sister to the ever popular Ōtautahi
eatery/wine bar Gatherings, “tiny bar and social
lounge” Kisi has set up in the alleyway out the
back, offering a unique selection of special
drinks (from wines to cocktails) and tasty bites
in an informal setting complete with just 14
seats. Named for a Georgian grape varietal and
custom-built (check out the stunning backlit bar
created from broken wine bottles) inside what
was previously an unused garage/storage space,
owner Alex Davies says Kisi is designed as a
“third space for the city” that guests can treat
as an extension of their living room. “A place to
play cards, watch sports, a place to lounge in.”
gatherings.co.nz
A cunning plan
Sir Tony Robinson – iconic star of stage and screen
(including Blackadder), historian and master storyteller
– is bringing his wit, wisdom and wonderful tales to
Christchurch on February 18, 2026. Live from the
Isaac Theatre Royal, Tony will be sharing tales from his
remarkable career, his passion for history and his thrilling
fiction debut The House of Wolf, an epic tale of Alfred the
Great and the bloody birth of England. Audiences will hear
some of the best behind-the-scenes moments and have the
chance to ask Sir Tony anything, from writing his first novel
at 78 to why Baldrick still gets the biggest laughs. Expect a
night of brilliant chat, big laughs and history with a twist –
all delivered by a man who always had… a cunning plan.
isaactheatreroyal.co.nz
Run on
Over 60 years of innovation and thousands of hours
of design has gone into creating legendary Kiwi sock
co Norsewear’s new lightest weight merino sock.
The Endurance running sock, made in New Zealand
from traceable local wool, was named after Ernest
Shackleton’s ship – based on the grit and resilience of
his crew – and put through its paces in the southern
wilds on Gore’s The Whiskey Creek Challenge, with
no-nonsense runners and less than pleasant conditions
putting the Endurance to the test. The feedback? A
running sock good enough to get the nod from the
toughest out there. Available in Micro Crew, Quarter
or Short styles and Black or Natural White, from $30.
norsewear.co.nz

Shop 5, 1027 Ferry Road, Christchurch
Phone 03 928 1690 | @ilovewinkshoesnz
ilovewink.co.nz

16 Magazine | Newsfeed
A charming drop
One of the coolest (literally and
figuratively) collaborations of the
summer, Charmed by Meadowlark
& Bodega is a multi-faceted fusion of
local creative minds, with a bespoke
chilled red wine blended by Everyday
Wine at its heart. In the works since
early 2025, the trio of businesses got
together for a tasting session and
hand blended the release: a delicious
blend of chardonnay, pinot gris, pinot
noir and riesling that harmoniously
combine for a lusciously smooth yet
sweet finish. Alongside the jewel-like
tipple, custom glasses and carafes will
be available to purchase via Everyday
Wine and Meadowlark.
meadowlark.co.nz
everydaywine.com
Slip into summer
For the fourth chapter of
the covetable Commonplace
X McKinlays partnership,
a classic returns from the
archive. Last manufactured
in the ‘90s, the Boundary
Sandal revives the timeless
jandal silhouette with refined
detailing and rich leathers
– honouring its heritage
while reimagining it for a
new era. Proudly handmade
in Dunedin in Black/White,
Brown, Paper and Cedar, the
summer-ready style merges
history, place and craft into
one enduring design.
shop.commonplace.co.nz
Hit the streets
Fans of free frivolity, fun and
fabulousness, mark your calendars:
from Friday January 23 to Sunday
February 1, 2026, Christchurch
will come alive with 10 days of
street performance, world class
acts, late night favourites and
headline shows including Cirque
Bon Bon, Fiesta City Bus Tour with
El Jaguar, SMASH! Boylesque MKII
and a new favourite – the Late
Night Cabaret! Expect another
unforgettable summer of comedy,
cabaret, circus and chaos as local
legends and global stars transform
Ōtautahi into one giant stage.
worldbuskersfestival.co.nz
Art of glass
To celebrate 20 years of “reimagining everyday rituals through scent”, Ashley & Co. has
partnered with glass artist Kate Mitchell to create a series of limited edition vessels for
its signature home perfume diffusers. The collection arrives in three colourways, each
hand-blown by Kate in her Auckland studio. Drawing on Ashley & Co.’s long-held affinity
for colour, the vessels carry warm tonal shards and speckles that evoke natural surfaces,
rooted browns, softened pinks and organic textures. The pared-back teardrop shape,
chosen for both elegance and practicality, allows diffuser reeds to fan out in sculptural
form, and no two pieces are identical. “I really drew from Ashley & Co.’s ethos,” Kate
says. “Their fragrances feel grounding and earthy, but also refined. I wanted the bottles to
reflect that balance.” For Kate, the project is personal. “It feels like a full-circle moment,
combining my glass practice with a brand that’s always been part of our home life.”
ashleyandco.co

RANGIORA EQUESTRIAN SUPPLIES
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dress down for effortless everyday wear.
Available exclusively from Rangiora Equestrian Supplies,
www.rangiorasaddlery.co.nz

18 Magazine | Wishlist
Most wanted
From super sustainable (and beautiful) PJs, beanbags and chopping
boards, provocative literary journals and arty adult colouring books to the
perfect sunhat, a sticky date pudding-scented body wash, sparkly scarves
and sparkling wines, here’s what we’re wishlisting right now.
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1. Folly Journal issue 003, $35; 2. Wilson & Dorset The Shaggy Bean Bag in Mt Gold, $1890; 3. Jordan Barnes, ‘Manu (in a New
Zealand landscape)’, 2025, oil and acrylic on canvas, 1400 x 2000mm, POA at The Central Art Gallery; 4. Curate by Trelise Cooper
Throwing Shade hat, $99 at Zebrano; 5. Kowtow 06 pyjama set, $169; 6. Ashley & Co waxed perfumed candle in Yulepine, $60;
7. LUSH Sticky Dates shower gel, $36; 8. A Low Hum, The Art of A Low Hum colouring book, $40; 9. Deadly Ponies Gemini slides in
Milk, $369; 10. RUBY Abi beaded scarf, $129; 11. Hunter’s MiruMiru Non-Vintage sparkling wine, $32; 12. Critical Cleanstone 100%
recycled milk bottle chopping board set, $190; 13. Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre eyeshadow pot in Honey, $72 at Mecca;
14. Saben Tali pencil case in Marigold, $99

BOLD. BRIGHT. BEAUTIFUL.
Live Life in Colour
4 Normans Road, Strowan
MON-FRI 10-5 SAT 9.30-4.30 briarwood.co.nz

20 Magazine | Health + Beauty
Top shelf
From night mousses, party palettes, juicy hydraters, hormone
heroes and tinted lip jellies to luxe brushes and perfect blushes,
here’s what the 03 team are currently testing.
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1. Siora Night Mousse moisturiser, $130; 2. Jeuneroa Hormone Hero supplement, $88; 3. Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin foundation in
Neutral Natural, $105; 4. Clinique Take The Day Off cleansing balm 125ml, $88; 5. Boost Lab Nourishing cleansing oil, $35; 6. Elizabeth Arden
blush in Nearly Nude, $70; 7. Olive velvet tanning mitt, $16; 8. Sephora Collection The Amazing Palette eyeshadow palette in Holiday Limited
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Making a splash
From lakes, rivers and sounds to beaches and seaside baths, proud
Southlander, author and swimming enthusiast Nicola McCloy
shares six very special South Island spots to dive into this summer.
WORDS & PHOTOS NICOLA MCCLOY

Feature | Magazine 23
LEFT: Corsair Bay/Motu-kauati-iti
Lyttelton, Canterbury
“I love being in the water. You get to see things
– whether it’s stingrays, dolphins, orca, fish,
eels, endangered birds, native bush or views of
the city – that differ from the day-to-day. You
don’t have to go far to have your perspective
changed, and I think there’s a real joy in that.”
There’s something brilliantly paradoxical
about water. It can inspire you and
humble you. It can heal you and hurt you. It
can challenge you and soothe you. It can warm
you and cool you. It can tire you and refresh
you. Most of all, though, it has the capacity to
make you see the world in a different way.
I love being in the water. Whether
swimming off the coast, in the middle of a lake
or cruising down a river rapid, you get to see
the land in a way that not many others do.
You get to see things – whether it’s stingrays,
dolphins, orca, fish, eels, endangered birds,
native bush or views of the city – that differ
from the day-to-day. You don’t have to go far
to have your perspective changed, and I think
there’s a real joy in that.
One of the other beautiful things about
swimming is that it doesn’t discriminate by age.
Once you know how to do it, you can keep
doing it pretty much forever. It’s good for the
body, the brain and the soul.
In recent years, more and more people
seem to be embracing the joy of swimming
outdoors. Given New Zealand has between
15,000 and 18,000 kilometres of coastline,
almost 4000 lakes and 180,000 kilometres of
rivers (and that’s only what’s been mapped so
far), there’s plenty of room for all of us.
I was always that kid who would find
water and get in it. This was such a common
occurrence that my parents never went
anywhere without an extra set of clothes
in the car for me, and there are numerous
photos of me as a damp child looking a bit
sorry for myself. This is probably why, at a
young age, I was sent to swimming lessons
with the inimitable (and slightly intimidating)
Mr and Mrs Jones in Invercargill. Having
learned to swim, I was unstoppable.
After school in summer, my friends and
I would bike the 10 kilometres out to Oreti
Beach, where we’d often swim with what we
thought were porpoises, but I now know were
Hector’s dolphins. It was idyllic – if a little bit
cold. Pretty much all of my holidays were spent
in Central Otago, where I’d take off to the river
or the lake whenever I got the chance.
Like a lot of young women, I stopped
swimming so much when I reached my late
teens, but even then I’d bike out to the beach
for a swim by myself sometimes when I lived
in Dunedin, and in Wellington I loved hopping
on the ferry to Eastbourne. After I moved to
Auckland in my thirties, I’d go to the beach at night
to swim because I didn’t feel comfortable doing it
during the day.
After life dealt me a couple of tough blows
I realised how much peace I got from being in
the water, and as a result I challenged myself to
do the 1-kilometre event at the King of the Bays
swim. After a small amount of training, almost
quitting at the start line and a big amount of
bravery, I got in the water and smashed it. From
there, I’ve never looked back.
Back then, I thought people who swam the
Auckland Harbour Crossing and from Rangitoto
Island to the mainland were superhuman. I’ve
since done both of those swims. I’ve swum
all over the country and all over the world.
I’ve reconnected with old friends, made some
brilliant new friends and learned a lot about
myself. Swimming has made me both physically
and mentally stronger, more resilient and
happier than ever before, and it’s helped me
to understand that I’ll be able to cope with
whatever life throws at me.
I never go anywhere without a pair of togs,
and my car has so much swim gear in it that
there’s very little room for anything else because
I want to be ready in case an opportunity to get
in the water might come my way.

NGĀKUTA BAY AND GOVERNORS BAY
Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough
Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock is
an absolute stunner of a drive as it skirts along Queen
Charlotte Sound’s Grove Arm, then heads over to the
shores of Pelorus Sound. The views from the top of the
hills are glorious and they give just a hint of the joys that
await in the water below.
The two swim spots here are under 2 kilometres
apart by road and between them they provide two very
different experiences of swimming in the sounds. It’s up
to you to pick your own adventure or you can double up
and do both!
Both bays face north, and both are protected from
the prevailing nor’west wind by headlands and from the
southerlies by the hills that back onto them. This means that
swimming conditions are spot on more often than not.
Access to Ngākuta Bay is easy as there’s parking right
beside the beach. There’s also a boat ramp and a jetty
here, which make it a busy wee place. That said, there’s
plenty of swimming to be had, all of which is protected
by 5-knot speed restrictions within the bay. If you’re keen
for a paddle and a laze, there’s a sandy beach between
the boat ramp and the jetty, but for a proper swim I
suggest heading over to the other side of the jetty
where the water is less busy. Have a look out towards
the coast opposite the end of the jetty and there’s a
gorgeous wee golden beach that’s perfect for a spot of
mid-swim sunning.
Before heading ashore, though, scope the surrounding
area for seals that have the same idea. We didn’t see
any there, but we were lucky enough to spot a little fella
having a rest at the end of the jetty.
Where Ngākuta Bay is easily accessible, Governors Bay
is slightly trickier as there isn’t much parking at the top of
the track (although there’s plenty of boat parking out in the
water!). If you’re lucky enough to score a carpark, the walk
down the hill is a 600-metre zigzag through native bush.
Surprisingly, on the reserve next to the beach there are
several wooden benches and tables, so make a day of it
and take a picnic. The beach itself is quite narrow but the
sand is gorgeously golden and the water is super clear
and a head-hurting shade of bluey green.
The real beauty of Governors Bay is that – apart from
boats – you can’t see any evidence of human habitation
from the beach, so it feels like you’re miles from
anywhere, when really you’re just a short (but steep)
walk back to reality!

Feature | Magazine 25
LAKE KANIERE
Kaniere, West Coast
Lake Kaniere is one of the few lakes in the country that
has dedicated swim zones in it, but it also has plenty of
other little surprises to serve up to anyone willing to
explore a little.
The main swimming area on the lake is at Hans Bay. In
fact, it covers pretty much all of Hans Bay as far as the
jetty. It will come as no surprise that jumping into the
lake from the end of the jetty is a ritual for most people
who come to swim here.
As the bay is a swim zone, getting a long swim is pretty
easy if you zigzag around its shores then head out to
circumnavigate the two small, tree-covered islands just
out from the boat ramp. Speaking of the boat ramp,
there will be some vessels about, but they should be
sticking to 5 knots (or slower).
The other dedicated swim zone is around the lake
to the west at Sunny Bight, but I suggest parking up
and taking the track down to Canoe Cove instead. The
carpark is just opposite the junction of Hans Bay Road
and Mill Road, and from there a 650-metre track,
some of which is on boardwalk, leads down
through kahikatea and rimu forest to the cove.
There’s a small, sheltered sandy beach where you
can leave your gear while you head off for a swim. I
recommend heading out to the east as there’s a ski
lane to the west, although with a reasonable-sized
5-knot zone buffer.
On days when the wind is up on the lake, there’s
yet another swimming option nearby. From Hans
Bay, head south along Dorothy Falls Road for about
3.5 kilometres where you’ll find Dorothy Falls.
There’s a carpark next to the bridge, and from
there it’s a 2-minute walk to the foot of the falls.
The falls have several different levels and they
drop an impressive 64 metres. At their base is a
mint little plunge pool that is perfect for swimming
in. Just take care getting across the rocks as they
can be a bit slippy.

26 Magazine | Feature
CORSAIR BAY/MOTU-KAUATI-ITI
Lyttelton, Canterbury
It’s easy to imagine corsairs of old coming ashore at Corsair
Bay given it’s a small, sandy cove surrounded by steep,
bush-clad hills. However, this gorgeous spot wasn’t named
because pirates once plied their trade here. Rather it takes
its name from a ship that was wrecked in the bay in 1861.
On a gloriously calm, sunny summer’s day it’s hard to
imagine how the Corsair came to grief here as the bay is a
picture of tranquillity. Out on the pontoon, sunbathers laze
while being cooled by the odd splash created by one of
their mates popping a bomb into the water.
Up on the reserve above the beach, families laze on
blankets stretched out to make the most of a spot of sandfree
picnicking. For me, it was a coffee from the van in the
carpark and down the multiple sets of stairs to the water’s
edge. It’s a bit of a stroll down to Corsair Bay from the road
or the carpark, but this brings with it the benefit of there
being no access for boat launching at the beach making it a
safe place for swimmers.
Given it was such a hot day, the water was refreshingly
cool and clear. The gradient is gentle so the shallows are a
great place for kids to paddle and swim. On the outer edges
of the bay are a series of buoys inside which no power
craft are meant to venture, so there’s a good-sized space in
which to stretch out for a swim within view of Ōtamahua/
Quail Island on the other side of the harbour, which served
as Canterbury’s quarantine station from 1875.
After a decent swim and a bit of a laze in the sun, it
was a treat to be able to dry off and get dressed in the
wonderfully old-school changing rooms before making the
trek back up the hill to the car.
RAKAIA GORGE
Windwhistle, Canterbury
The vast braided river that threads its way across the
Canterbury Plains is almost unrecognisable as you stand
on its banks and peer down into the Rakaia Gorge.
Here, the Rakaia River more resembles the pristine Lake
Pūkaki, than the pebble-clad meanderings of its waters
both up- and downstream. That’s because its waters
have similar glacial origins flowing from the melted ends
of the Lyell and Ramsay glaciers in the Southern Alps.
Thousands of years of glacier and river flow have
slowly worn down the surrounding rhyolite and andesite
rock to create the spectacular cliffs that surround the
river here, while the fine particles of glacial flour give the
water its intense turquoise colour.
At first glance, from the height of the road, the river
here doesn’t look very swimmable. It’s deep and in
places very fast flowing, but I decided that it definitely
warranted closer inspection. Given it was a Sunday at
the end of the summer holidays, the area was really busy
when I visited. That meant there was plenty of traffic
crossing the two bridges that span the gorge, and it took
me a while (and a couple of turns crossing the bridges)
before I worked out where to park in order to access
the river.
I’m sure there’s an easier way, but I ended up parking
at the large lookout about 400 metres before the
bridge and walking down the track from there. I heartily
recommend doing this in a sturdy pair of shoes as it’s a
bit of a mission and the riverbed is pretty rocky.
When I got down to the river, I decided there was
a bit much water flowing for my taste, although there
were people dipping close to shore. It turned out I hadn’t
wasted a clean pair of togs though, as there’s quite a big
swimming hole under the concrete bridge, where water
flows in and sort of gets trapped until the river level rises
and flushes it out. It provided a safe, slightly warmer yet
still clean alternative to chucking myself in the river.
Being in the water right under the bridge felt kind of
strange, as the views of the river and the gorge were
stunning but all the while I knew there was a plethora of
utes, caravans and campervans rolling along overhead!

Feature | Magazine 27
LAKE WĀNAKA
Wānaka, Otago
One of the things I love most about Wānaka is how you can
walk across the road from the town’s main shopping area and
just hop in the lake for a swim. There’s even a pontoon just
off the waterfront to swim out to and around, or to climb up
on and have a soak in the sun. The downside of this is that the
lakefront is often the busiest place in town.
When that happens, there’s another nearby bit of beachfront
that offers plenty for swimmers. That place has the slightly
uninviting name of Eely Point. The best I can do to reassure
you on that front is to say I’ve never seen an eel there.
Eely Point is the wee green headland to the right when you
look out at the lake from town. It’s a recreational reserve, so
it’s home to a frisbee golf course, a Scout den and plenty of
great picnic spots.
The really beaut thing about this place is that you can choose
where to swim depending on which way the wind’s blowing.
On the northern side of the point is Bremner Bay, which
boasts a lovely stretch of beach and views out to Treble Cone
and the Harris Mountains. The water here is shallow for quite
a way out into the lake, which means it gets a bit warmer
when the sun’s shining. Eely Point also does a great job of
sheltering the bay from the bitey southerly winds.
If it’s blowing northerly though, you can pop over to the
other side of the point, where the water is deeper and a bit
cooler. The views on this side are pretty mint too, looking back
across town to Mount Roy and Mount Alpha. There’s a boat
ramp and water-ski lane here, but there’s a clear set of buoys
that help keep swimmers and boat traffic apart.

28 Magazine | Feature
ST CLAIR HOT SALT WATER POOL
Dunedin, Otago
Dunedin’s St Clair beach offers swimmers the best of
both worlds: an epic surf beach for a chilly splash and
one of only a handful of public saltwater pools in the
country. And what a pool it is! I’m not a massive fan
of pools at the best of times, but the one at St Clair
is a historic beauty.
As a result of a spate of drownings at what was
then creatively known as Ocean Beach, a large pool
was dug out of the rock and low concrete walls
were installed in 1884. Located on Second Beach
Road and tucked into the southern end of St Clair
Beach, this pool has been a favourite bathing spot for
Dunedinites for more than 140 years. Initially, it was a
pretty basic affair with a sandy bottom that relied on
the sea to rinse it out at high tide.
Back then, women were allowed to bathe between
10am and 4pm with men taking their turn outside
those hours. This led to the bank above the pool
becoming a gathering spot for curious spectators
both male and female!
Over the years, additions and changes were made
to the pool and its surroundings and (sadly for the
folks on the hill) changing rooms were added. Despite
this, the place was at risk of being closed down in the
1950s. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and – after a lot
of fundraising – a new, concrete-lined, heated pool
opened in 1968. This is pretty much the pool that
stands now, major upgrades notwithstanding.
Some of the open-water swimming purists among
you might be asking why anyone would want to
swim in a pool while the sea is right there. To them,
I say that the last time I was at the pool was in early
January, the air temperature was about 13°C, the sea
temperature was probably only a degree higher and
the surf was absolutely pumping. The choice to hop
in a six-lane, 25-metre pool heated to 28°C was a
very easy one. Even better, I had a lane to myself as
most of the locals were away on holiday.
On wild days, when the surf really gets up, is when the
pool really comes into its own. Waves noisily wallop the
walls of the pool and it’s not unusual to get hit by a bit of
sea spray as you swim. This proximity to the sea has not
been without its wildcards, like the time in 2015 when a
local sea lion decided to drop in for a swim, or the time a
Fiordland crested penguin hunkered down to moult on the
rocks by the pool in 2017.
St Clair’s human regulars are a friendly bunch and a visit
to the pool confirms that not all that much has changed
over the past 140-odd years apart from the introduction
of mixed bathing. Back in 1885, one commentator
described the men’s bathing time thus: ‘The bathers were
of all ages, and not a few venerable bald heads threw
back the sun’s rays like patent reflectors … “All sorts
and conditions of men” were paddling about, floating,
diving and swimming as peaceably and joyously together
as ducklings in a pond.’ Visit St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool
today and chances are a similar scene will greet you.
Extracted from Jump In:
An Insider’s Guide to New
Zealand’s Best Beaches, Lakes,
Rivers, Pools and Hot Springs
by Nicola McCloy, published
by HarperCollins, RRP$50.

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30 Magazine | Promotion
DIRECTORY
SUMMER ROADIE
The South Island’s best spots to make a stop this summer.
TĀHUNA BEACH HOLIDAY PARK
Spanning 22 hectares of parkland along 1km of
sea front, Nelson’s Tāhuna Beach Holiday Park
has been a firm favourite with holiday makers
for more than nine decades. The broad range of
accommodations – from unpowered campsites to
cosy cabins and modern, fully self-contained motels
– is complemented by many on-site activities from a
tandem flying fox to mini-golf and pedal-karts, while
additional family activities and of course the iconic
beach are within easy walking distance.
tahuna.nz
ASHBURTON ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM
Rokowhiria Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum is
a vibrant arts and heritage destination in Whakatere
Ashburton that delivers regular exhibitions, public
events, education programmes and whānau-friendly
activities. This modern facility has many highlights,
including the permanent Takata Whenua display
of significant stories and taonga, and the rotating
exhibition of artworks from the Ashburton Art
Gallery Inc. collection.
ashburtonartgallery.org.nz
ashburtonmuseum.co.nz
ADAM INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC
FESTIVAL NELSON
Immerse yourself into 10 magical days of fine
music, conversation and celebration with concerts,
artist talks and masterclasses featuring exclusive
performances by the Jupiter String Quartet (USA),
pianist Jeremy Denk (USA) and tenor Colin
Ainsworth (Canada), alongside the New Zealand
String Quartet and some of this country’s finest
performers. January 27 – February 7, 2026.
music.org.nz
LAKES DISTRICT MUSEUM AND GALLERY
Plan a day in Arrowtown around the Lakes
District Museum & Gallery. Step into our gold rush
past, explore changing art exhibitions, browse a
well-stocked bookshop and, in summer, try handson
gold panning. A relaxed, family-friendly visit
that fits perfectly into a Queenstown or Wānaka
holiday. Open every day (except Christmas Day)
from 9am – 5pm.
museumqueenstown.com

Promotion | Magazine 31
AIGANTIGHE ART GALLERY
Step into Timaru’s Aigantighe Art Gallery, a heritagelisted
house surrounded by serene sculpture
gardens. Wander intimate rooms filled with rotating
displays of historic New Zealand art, from iconic
landscapes to modernist treasures. Aigantighe is the
perfect destination for a cultural escape, offering
history, creativity and inspiration in every corner.
aigantighe.co.nz
THE BANDQUET
The Bandquet returns to Hanmer Springs on
Saturday March 28, bringing together great food,
fine drinks, and an outstanding live music lineup
including Sir Dave Dobbyn for an unforgettable
day out. Set in a vibrant festival atmosphere, it’s the
perfect way to celebrate the season with friends
and enjoy the very best of local talent.
thebandquet.co.nz
JACKSON ORCHARDS
Visit family-friendly Jackson Orchards – one of New
Zealand’s largest Central Otago stone fruit suppliers
– this summer. Fruits include cherries, apricots,
peaches, nectarines, plums, greengages, apples and
pears. Guided orchard tours on one of the electric
buses provide a fun and informative tour. A selection
of locally produced preserves, honey and gifts plus a
real fruit ice cream kiosk and hot cookie stand ensure
this Cromwell destination is a one-stop shop!
jacksonorchard.co.nz
TŪHURA OTAGO MUSEUM
Two Dunedin mums, Shanaya Cunningham and Annah
Taggart, have created The Gallery Gang’s Big Adventure
at Tūhura Otago Museum. This hands-on summer
exhibition features seven playful characters guiding
children through 20+ craft stations inspired by the
museum’s art, history and science galleries. Open now,
it sparks creativity and imagination for all.
tuhura.nz

32 Magazine | Food
Go fish
Celebrated Kiwi chef and avid fish/fishing fanatic Al Brown shares his
lifelong passion – along with some of his most loved ways to cook up a catch.
WORDS & RECIPES AL BROWN
ILLUSTRATIONS HOPE MCCONNELL
While I struggle to recollect many of the special
moments from when I was a wee lad growing up,
there are some enduring memories that I vividly recall
from that period of my life. Weirdly, they all had the
same three things in common: a hook, a line and a sinker!
I grew up on a farm in the central Wairarapa region.
With no ocean or lake within cooee, my only fishing
option was down at what I used to call ‘the river’. It was
more like a windy, willow-lined, muddy creek with the
odd deep hole here and there, but there were also a few
spots that you could easily step across with gumboots on.
My eeling line was rough brown hessian twine, about 5
to 10 metres in length, simply wound around a quarter
inch-thick stick or a piece of kindling. The hooks were
pretty basic, long shank if I recall, and the sinker was
usually one or two rusted old nuts. As the creek had a
minimal amount of current, I only needed just enough
weight to hold the baited hook in position.
Bait was whatever I could find. It was always a protein
of some sort – from raw sheep’s liver or kidneys, leftover
cooked meat from a roast or even some luncheon
sausage if things were desperate. My bait of choice,
though, was a piece of raw mutton containing a little fat,
usually sourced from a carcass hanging in the shed where
we butchered sheep for the shepherds and their families.
Burley was a bit of a luxury and usually a hit or miss
affair. We would use roadkill, such as a freshly skinned
possum or rabbit, bound with some old bailing twine
and then tied to a low-hanging willow branch or a stick
driven into the mud bank.
Another highly prized eel attractant was rotten eggs
that we occasionally found near or around the chook
house in odd spots outside their hatch. Breaking them
directly into the water a few metres above where I was
eeling, while super stinky, was very efficient in attracting
the attention of the slithery black ‘snakes’.
If I close my eyes, I can still easily visualise and
experience the thrill and elation of seeing a dark serpentlike
shape appear from the shadows under the bank,
gliding effortlessly up the current, nostrils flared, coming
close to my bait. Staying as still as possible, I would fix
my eyes on the hessian line where it entered the water.
Seeing the line begin to move was always a heart-racing
thrill. Gripping the line tightly and ever so slowly lifting it,
and feeling the weight come on with the first head shake
as the eel realises it has a hook in its mouth… that feeling
never gets old.
When I was a kid, hardly a week would go by without
at least one eeling mission. The ‘river’ meandered for
miles in both directions, so finding new spots to eel was
always an adventure on a push bike. On the odd occasion
that I had a mate staying over, we would often go eeling
at night. We would light a fire on the edge of the river
and eel into the night, as they were attracted to the light.
We would always let the eels go – unless it happened
to be shearing time on the farm, which gave me the
opportunity to trade the eels with the shearers for large
bottles of fizzy. The travelling shearing gangs often stayed
on the farms, and with a constant diet of sheep meat the
eels were always appreciated.
The next vivid memory I recall from when I was young
is of trolling for kahawai out of our little tinny with its
smoky old Seagull engine. While I loved eeling, fishing
in a saltwater situation was in a different stratosphere
altogether. We were trolling between Kapiti Island and
the mainland, and caught two or three kahawai that day.
I’m pretty sure that would have been the first time I held
an actual fishing rod with a reel attached.
Pound for pound, kahawai is one of the hardest fighting
and most exciting fish to catch. We are blessed to have
such a wonderful species inhabiting most coastal areas
around Aotearoa. They are battlers and you can always
guarantee they will give you a good scrap – they cavort
and often jump clear out of the water in an attempt
to dislodge those classic, heavy metal lures armed with
deadly-sharp treble hooks that many will be familiar with.
That was a super high-octane fishing experience, and
one which I believe lit the spark for a lifetime of chasing
aquatic dreams.
I still regularly fish for kahawai with a fly rod – off the
boat and from the shore. My brother Jeremy even targets
(and catches) the mighty kingfish on a fly rod, which is an
extraordinary feat.
From those early days to my sixtieth year, I have tried
all sorts of fishing styles and disciplines, and have targeted
all manner of fish species here and overseas. I guess like
many recreational sports there is a certain tendency to
get obsessive!

And while a lucky few will be fortunate enough to
grapple and engage in several recreational outdoor
activities, many choose to become a purist in
their chosen discipline, dedicating much personal
recreational time to mastering their pursuit.
In fishing, there is a term often bandied about. It’s
called the 10 percent club. It goes something like this:
10 percent of the people who fish recreationally catch
90 percent of the fish. Unfortunately, that means that
90 percent of the people only catch 10 percent of the
fish. I think there’s some truth to this. Even though I’m
constantly working on my fishing skills, I don’t think I’m
in that top 10 percent… yet!
There is only one way to become a member of that
hallowed and revered club, and that is to commit to
complete dedication to the sport. Which essentially
means reading, watching, talking about, learning,
trialling, experimenting, observing, proving, testing and
constantly questioning everything in the fishing space.
Let’s not forget, these esteemed members of the 10
percent club will have also endured a huge amount of
heartache, despair and grief along the way. For while
their phones all contain hundreds of fish they have
landed, it is the ones that got away that will continue
to haunt and torment them for the rest of their years.
What I love about that is that even if they could, those
anglers wouldn’t change a thing, and they will have cherished
each and every minute of their fishing journey to date. It is
their single-minded, dogged commitment and determination
to master the art of fishing that I admire most.
I love all types of fishing. I fish out of boats, kayaks, off
the rocks. I’m mad about walking up rivers with a fly rod,
surfcasting off sandy beaches and catching squid in the dead
of the night.
It can be as simple as fishing for sprats with a child off a
wharf, to chasing the elusive bonefish in the clear
lagoons of Rarotonga. (I’ve caught only one, after many
hours of trying!)
While I do get more of a kick out of certain fishing
opportunities than others, they all give me a thrill one
way or another. It all revolves around the anticipation of
the adventure ahead. Anticipation of the unknown, the
unexpected and the expected.
The one thing (besides a little luck) that I have learnt over
the years about fishing, which applies to any of the angling
disciplines, is that it’s about the ‘three rights’. Being in the
right location at the right time with the right gear. Good luck
out there!
“I think cooking fish that you have caught yourself is one of
life’s real joys. It’s why so many people love to fish.”

Food | Magazine 35
I think cooking fish that you have caught yourself is one
of life’s real joys. It’s why so many people love to fish.
There is a huge sense of pride that comes when
you’ve learnt how to catch a fish, and I feel the same
way about preparing that fish to be eaten.
Sure, the adventure and anticipation of going fishing is
a big part of the joy of fishing, and the battle that comes
from hooking and landing a fish is always exciting.
But I think there’s also pleasure in honouring the
fish by dispatching it humanely, icing it down, scaling,
gutting and filleting it and finally cooking and serving
the catch itself.
It takes a lifetime to become a whizz at all aspects of
fishing. That is one of the reasons why we love to fish,
as the learning curve really never ends.
Like with most of my cooking, when it comes to
seafood I like to make food that can be shared, is
relatively easy to prepare, and where the fish is always
the hero of the dish.
Cooking is always more fun when there are two of
you in the kitchen, so get mum or dad or another adult
to help you with any tricky bits.
Lastly, when serving the fish to the folks around the
table, always regale them with tall tales of the epic battle
you fought with the fish they are about to enjoy.
As that old saying goes, ‘Don’t let the truth get in the
way of a good story!’
HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT FISH FILLET
While I love all the recipes [featured in Hooked], I also
enjoy nothing more than a fresh piece of fish, seasoned
with salt and fresh black pepper, then simply cooked in
a pan with a little oil, finished with a lick of butter and a
squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Timeless, and so simple
and so delicious.
Tips for cooking fresh fish:
• The thicker the fillet, the longer it will take to cook.
• Oily fish such as kahawai, trevally and kingfish tend
to dry out when cooked, more than fillets of nonoily
white fish.
• The golden rule is to always err on the side
of slightly undercooking fish fillets, as they will
continue to cook a little once removed from the
pan. You can always cook them a little more if
needed, but there is no going back if you have
overcooked a piece of fish.
• You must cook whole fish all the way through,
so the fish pulls away from the bones with ease.
Cooking on the bone also helps to keep the
fillet moist.
• Try cooking fish fillets scaled but with the skin on.
The skin ends up as a crispy fish crackling. There is
also a micro-layer of fat between the skin and the
fillet which again helps to keep the fillet moist.
• Always heat your pan up to at least medium-high
heat. I like to use a cast-iron skillet to cook my fish
– it’s the original non-stick pan, and it retains its
heat when the fish is added to the pan.
• For best results, bring the raw fillets up to room
temperature before cooking.
COOKING DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF FISH
I often find myself harping on about eating the ‘other’
fish to anyone who will listen. So many people try to
only catch the popular varieties of fish when they head
out to catch a feed. I get it – snapper, blue cod, tarakihi
and gurnard are all delicious to eat. But there are so
many other types of fish that taste just as good!
The challenge is learning about different ways to
cook and serve certain varieties. For instance, many
people think that kahawai are only good for smoking.
Codswallop! Kahawai can be prepared and cooked in
nearly every eating situation you can possibly think of:
raw (sashimi), ceviche, smoked, grilled, roasted whole,
deep-fried in batter…
You just need to keep a few things in mind:
• If it is a small-flaked fish, chances are it has a
more delicate and subtle taste. Great for cooking,
e.g. pan-fried, poached or crumbed. Examples:
gurnard, tarakihi, blue cod, snapper, butterfish,
John Dory.
• Larger-flaked fish can handle more robust styles of
preparation and cooking. Think pan-fried, in stews
and chowders, barbecued, chargrilled, battered
and deep-fried, and crumbed. Examples: hāpuka,
warehou, monkfish, bluenose, blue moki, pōrae.
• Some varieties of fish are described as being ‘oily’
in texture. Oily fish are generally wonderful to
sashimi or marinate. The main thing to watch
when cooking oily fish is not to overcook them.
In fact, if oily fish are still a little raw or opaque in
the centre, that’s perfect. Examples: salmon, tuna,
kingfish, kahawai, grey mullet, mackerel, trevally.
• In the past, fishers have generally targeted the
larger fish while ignoring the smaller varieties,
because they think the smaller varieties are bait
fish. Sure, smaller fish do make great bait, but they
also reward you in the eating stakes. This style of
eating requires you to slow down a little and be
patient, because we often cook small fish whole.
This means they stand up to more rigorous
cooking styles, such as barbecuing, sautéing,
chargrilling and oven roasting. Examples: yelloweyed
mullet, pilchards, piper/garfish, jack mackerel.

36 Magazine | Recipes
‘DEPOT’ FISH SLIDERS WITH PRESERVED
LEMON MAYO AND WATERCRESS
For better or worse, this is my most popular recipe in my 40-odd
years as a chef. I have calculated we’ve served over one million of
these humble little fish burgers. Many would say the sliders are
my signature dish – it’s a little disconcerting that I’m going to be
remembered for my take on a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish.
Serves 6
PRESERVED LEMON MAYO
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons finely diced preserved lemon rind
2 tablespoons lemon juice
flaky sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
Place all the ingredients except the salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk until
combined, then season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until required.
COOKING AND SERVING
800 g fresh fish (whatever you prefer)
flaky sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
cooking oil
20 slider buns, split in half and buttered on both sides of each half-bun
preserved lemon mayo
watercress or similar leafy salad vegetable
Preheat the oven to 100°C.
Heat up a skillet or flat-top barbecue to medium-high heat.
Slice the fish into pieces about the same width as the slider buns.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add a little cooking oil to the skillet, then cook the fish pieces in
batches, keeping them warm in the oven once they are cooked.
Wipe down the skillet or barbecue flat-top, then caramelise both sides
of both halves of each slider bun.
Spread generous amounts of the preserved lemon mayo on both insides
of the bun.
Place a piece of fish on each bottom bun, add a couple of leaves of
watercress then top with the lid of the bun.
Serve immediately. They will be gone in a flash!

38 Magazine | Recipes
SASHIMI WITH SOY SYRUP,
KEWPIE AND WASABI PEAS
This is a crazy-good and super-easy recipe,
and I swear everyone loves it. It’s been on the
Depot menu for a few years now, and many
customers start their dining experience
with this dish, followed by fish sliders.
The only thing you have to do is combine
and reduce two ingredients (soy sauce and
sugar), and the other ingredients are simply
store-bought – except for the fish, of course,
which should be in pristine condition and as
fresh as possible. This dish is a favourite for a
number of reasons: it’s fresh, salty, sweet, has
a little heat and its texture works brilliantly.
Serves 6
SOY SYRUP
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup sugar
Place a small saucer or plate in the fridge.
Place a saucepan on medium-high heat, and add the soy
sauce and sugar. Bring to a simmer and reduce slightly for
about 10 minutes to create a thick but still runny syrup.
The liquid will always be runnier when it’s hot, so that’s
where the cold saucer comes in. With a spoon, place a
couple of drops on the cold saucer to see how reduced it
is. Most people overreduce the syrup. When it’s the right
consistency, remove from the heat and store in a jar. The
syrup can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated.
PLATING AND SERVING
600g super-fresh fish
Kewpie mayonnaise
soy syrup
1/3 cup roughly crushed wasabi peas
micro basil or finely chopped fresh basil
Slice the fish thinly with a sharp knife.
Arrange on a platter. Add a drop of
mayo on each piece. Drizzle over a
little of the soy syrup, scatter over the
crushed wasabi peas and finish with the
basil. Serve immediately.
Images and text extracted
from Hooked: Learning to Fish
by Al Brown, illustrations by
Hope McConnell, published
by Allen and Unwin Aotearoa
New Zealand, RRP$35.

UNMISSABLE WEEKEND OF MOTORSPORT COMING TO THE SOUTH
Prepare for an extraordinary weekend of motorsport as Highlands
Motorsport Park hosts the prestigious NAPA 70th New Zealand
Grand Prix on 30th January and 1st February, part of the Repco
NextGen NZ Championship, and aligning with the thrilling Grand
Final of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. Set
against the dramatic backdrop of one of the world’s most stunning
circuits, this milestone event promises two days of exhilarating action.
Fans will experience top-tier racing across the Castrol
Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, Bridgestone GR86
Championship, Summerset GT New Zealand, SP Tools TA2 NZ
Championship, and the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series –
each delivering fierce battles and edge-of-your-seat excitement.
In a historic first, the Repco NextGen NZ Championship also
unveils the Formula Atlantic New Zealand Grand Prix Double-
Header, spanning the Giltrap Group Taupo Historic GP and the
NAPA 70th New Zealand Grand Prix. The Formula Atlantic
feature race winner will be awarded the Tim Miles Memorial
Trophy, honouring one of New Zealand motorsport’s greats.
Alongside the racing, fans can enjoy demo laps, pit walks, grid
walks, signing sessions, and more, all wrapped in an electrifying
atmosphere with entertainment for the whole family.
This is a weekend you don’t want to miss at Highlands –
an unforgettable celebration of speed, history, and worldclass
motorsport.
JAN 30 - FEB 01
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW,
KIDS UNDER 16 FREE
NextGen25_R5-NZGP_182mmx125mm.indd 1
20/11/2025 9:36 PM

40 Magazine | Promotion
Tiny trailblazer
The first Fiat to go fully electric, the 500e is small on size, big on style,
sustainability and charisma, packed with modern tech, a joy to drive and
made (in Italy, chef’s kiss) for city living.
WORDS JOSIE STEENHART
Quick history lesson: the Fiat ‘500’ nameplate dates
way back to the 1930s and the cinquecento (that’s
500 in Italian) auto has been a mainstay of the brand
since 1957. Heritage credentials.
In 2022, the instantly recognisable compact classic
boldly kicked off Fiat’s full electric journey.
In 2025, the 500e comes in Pop and Icon models:
Icon being the more elevated of the two, with some
additional details and tech such as a fixed glass roof,
ice beige-hued seats with eco-leather trim and door
panel (the Pop offers still-snazzy black fabric seats
and both are made from reclaimed ocean plastics and
come with monogram embroidery that’s giving Fendi/
designer vibes), 360° parking sensors, 17” diamond cut
alloy wheels (versus 16” non diamond), infinity LED
headlights and chrome exterior accents.
Both models have an 87kw electric motor that
goes from 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds (zippy!), Level 2
autonomous driving, cruise control, lane assist, 320km
driving range from a single full charge and 80% charge in
35 minutes. Tinted glass, heated/cooled seats, wireless
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and six speakers on which
to play said audio. Should the sun not be shining in a
glorious Mediterranean manner, it has dusk and rain
sensors and electric mirrors with defrost functionality.
Plot twist: there’s no gearstick or handbrake, instead
things are done via delightfully tactile piano key and
push buttons, and there are three driving modes –
Normal, Range and Sherpa.
Normal is hopefully pretty self-evident.
Range maximises your driving range by increasing
regenerative braking to enable one-pedal driving, where
you can gently bring the car to a stop by lifting your foot
off the accelerator, providing a smoother, more efficient
response to the accelerator pedal to help you adopt a
style that extends the vehicle’s distance on a single charge.
And Sherpa is your energy-saving driving mode that
maximises range by limiting the top speed to around
80km and automatically turning off the air con and
climate control, optimising the vehicle and helping
you reach a destination or charging station when the
battery is low by restricting power and deactivating
auxiliary systems.
While visually there’s no denying it’s kind of adorable
(from the front especially it could be a character in
Cars), the smart design ensures it also has just the right
amounts of sophistication and contemporary edge,
and the available hues lean into that with not a primary
colour in sight – instead the 500e comes in chic hues
of Mineral Grey, Ocean Green, Onyx Black, Ice White,
Celestial Blue and jewel-like Rose Gold (which I’m kind
of obsessed with the idea of). And the dash also comes
in the body colour – another chef’s kiss-worthy detail.
Due to its super petite size and zippiness, it’s also
fabulous for driving around town (BYO silk headscarf
and gelato). My usual car is pretty small but I was truly
delighted when spotting a car park on the opposite side
of a narrow and busy inner city Christchurch street, I
was able to skip both the clunky, panicked three-point
turn and parallel park and instead nip straight in. A
cheer went up from both of my passengers (including,
might I add, a full-sized adult who seemed perfectly
comfortable in the admittedly fairly compact back seat).
Also on that note, the boot space is 185L, which
I found surprisingly generous-feeling and perfectly
acceptable, but if you should require more you can
drop the rear seats for 500L-plus.
The final signature note of the Fiat 500e, which to
me perfectly captures its sense of fun and Italian spirit,
is the short but audacious toot of the horn it gives
when you hit the lock button on the keyfob.
The Fiat 500e starts at $37,990+orc at Euromarque.
Contact Euromarque for more information.
120 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch. euromarque.co.nz

Promotion | Magazine 41

Green with envy
Designed as a contemporary take on the classic Central Otago lodge,
this luxurious holiday home in stunning Gibbston Valley is surrounded
by greens of all kinds – including a nine-hole golf course.
WORDS KIM DUNGEY | PHOTOS ISAAC NORTON

Design | Magazine 43
H
aving three keen golfers in the family, it’s only natural that life in this
house near Queenstown revolves around the fairways.
The home is sited on an elevated section at the edge of the Gibbston
Valley Resort’s nine-hole golf course.
With direct access from the front lawn onto the course, it’s the ideal
location for the owner’s golf-loving adult sons.
Built by Lakeside Design and Build, the 400sqm house was designed as a
modern interpretation of a classic Central Otago lodge.
Condon Scott Architects says the owner wanted a sophisticated but
understated retreat that would serve as a peaceful sanctuary for now but
that would also work as a year-round home in the future.
Made up of three gable-roofed pavilions connected by linkways, it looks
across the gentle contours and well-kept grass of the course towards the
rugged beauty of the Crown Range.
The central pavilion, containing the main living area, is slightly taller
than the others, subtly signalling its importance as the heart of the home.
The outer wings contain the bedrooms – which have their own take on
the wide view – while a sitting room, powder room and bunk room are
included in the linkways.
The schist cladding and stacked stone chimneys create a sense of
permanence, while high ceilings and expansive glazing bring in natural light
and enhance connection to the outdoors.

An extended roof forms a sheltered outdoor living
area, anchored by stone pillars and half-height walls.
Inside, interior designers Space Studio used a warm,
textural palette and natural materials, including polished
plaster walls and sculptural steel elements.
Lakeside Design and Build director Luke Noble says
with four bedrooms and a bunk room, the house can
sleep 14 in total.
“It has zoned underfloor heating and air conditioning,
and has been designed so you can shut off one wing of
the house, depending on how many people are staying.”
Lofty ceilings and large timber trusses add grandeur
to the open-plan living area. The ceilings and soffit
linings are bandsawn tongue and groove New Zealand
southern beech while the trusses are Australian
blackbutt, reclaimed from old bridge and wharf beams.
“As the trusses had to be installed after the
ceiling linings, they had to be made lengthways in
the lounge one-by-one, then turned and raised
dead-level so we did not damage the walls and so
they slotted over the structural brackets,” he says.
“Then they were scribed to the flat line of
the ceiling, lowered and cut to suit the ceiling,
before being lifted one more time and bolted
into position.”
The builders also made the bunk beds on site
as they couldn’t find any that were suitable.
Blending traditional character with modern
comfort, the house earned the company a
regional gold award in the “new homes over
$4 million” category of the Master Builders’
House of the Year competition.
“Made up of three gable-roofed pavilions connected by linkways, it looks
across the gentle contours and well-kept grass of the course towards the
rugged beauty of the Crown Range.”

SHOWHOME
NOW OPEN
Marcel Fekkes
General Manager
North Canterbury
Come see us!
AT OUR BRAND NEW SHOWHOME IN
MILLHAVEN
Come along to 183 Styx Mill Road in Millhaven, Styx Mill for a look through our brand new 3 bedroom
Show Home. This modern design includes a work-from-home space, and a family orientated open-plan
living, dining and kitchen area.
Open 12pm to 4pm from Wednesday to Sunday, our Master Build award winning team look forward to
showing you through this new space.
For more information or to discuss your next build, get in touch with our team:
Debbie Reeves | 027 272 3700 | debbie.reeves@generation.co.nz
Marcel Fekkes | 027 256 9327 | marcelf@generation.co.nz
Generation Homes Canterbury

46 Magazine | Promotion
DIRECTORY
HOME & LIVING
RESENE
Whether your outdoor area consists
of a small apartment balcony, a modest
patio or a sweep of lawn and decking,
Resene paint and products offer simple
ways to amp up a sense of quiet luxury
and comfort without blowing out the
budget. Opt for bright, timeless neutrals,
perfect for relaxing all year round. Here,
the walls and coffee table are painted
in Resene Albescent White, floor in
Resene Sorrell Brown, seat in Resene
Quarter Sorrell Brown, and pots in
Resene Albescent White, Resene Grain
Brown and Resene Jetsam Brown.
resene.com/colorshops
LITTLE RIVER GALLERY
New to the gallery from Kerry Fenton-Johns, this
luminous painting showcases the artist’s command of
colour and light, along with her precise attention to
detail. Radiant and serene, this is a captivating work
sure to elevate any space. ‘Magnolia’, oil on canvas,
750 × 750mm, $2400.
littlerivergallery.com
ANY EXCUSE
Chic, versatile and functional – this Kollab tote bag takes
you anywhere and everywhere, in style. Partly made from
recycled bottles, it features premium padded PEVA lined
insulation to keep contents chilled and a hard base that
stays upright when packing, sitting on the floor or table.
It works as a travel bag, beach bag, nappy bag or your
everyday carry-all – big enough to handle all the shopping.
Available in three colour designs, priced at $94.99.
anyexcuse.co.nz

UP TO 20% OFF
OUTDOOR COLLECTIONS
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*
Outdoor Sale Terms & Conditions apply
Havana 3 Seater Sofa $2,680 Havana Armchair $1,100
179 Blenheim Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
T. +64 3 348 0815 www.lewisandco.nz

Recipes | Magazine 49
Feed me Fatima’s
Cult foodie hotspot Fatima's has been serving bold, fresh, playful flavour to
Aucklanders (and Dave Grohl: the Foo Fighters are said to be major fans)
since 1995 – now everyone can cook up a taste of its herb-forward, spice-rich,
signature Middle Eastern/Aotearoa fusion at home.
RECIPES KIRSTY SENIOR & SOPHIE GILMOUR | PHOTOS VANESSA WU
POMEGRANATE, LIME
& AVOCADO CRUDO
The sweetness of pomegranate juice is a lovely
complement for lime juice in this recipe. We’ve
used kingfish here and avocado to provide
some creaminess and mint for freshness.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cure time: 5 minutes
Makes: 4-6 as a snack
1 large fillet (180-200g) fresh white fish, we like
snapper or kingfish
½ pomegranate (you will extract 2 tablespoons juice
and 2 tablespoons arils)
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ avocado, cut into small cubes
few mint leaves, sliced
2 tablespoons best extra virgin olive oil
flaky sea salt
Slice the fish on an angle (with your knife at about
30 degrees) as thinly as you can. Lay the fish on a
serving platter, cover with baking paper and chill.
Squeeze the pomegranate over a small bowl
to extract 2 tablespoons of juice. Mix the
pomegranate juice and lime juice.
Bang the pomegranate with the back of a
wooden spoon over a bowl to get 2 tablespoons
of arils. Set aside.
Five minutes before you are ready to serve, spoon
over the dressing and leave the fish to cure for
3-5 minutes.
Scatter over the avocado, pomegranate arils
and mint. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle
generously with sea salt. Serve immediately.
CHILLI MAPLE SEEDS
One of our favourite flavour hacks, these
toasted seeds also deliver on heat, seasoning
and texture. Sprinkle them on your salads
(see next page), roast veges, on top of dips, or
eat them on their own – yum.
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: about 1 cup
2 tablespoons olive oil
140g (1 cup) mixed sunflower and pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon chilli flakes
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a
medium heat. Toast the seeds for 3-4 minutes,
constantly tossing the pan until they start to
change colour. Add the maple syrup, salt and chilli
flakes. Cook for a further minute. Remove from
the pan and cool completely before storing in an
airtight container for up to a month.

50 Magazine | Recipes
SPICED PORK BELLY
This is a great dinner party dish because it can be prepared in advance and cooked for a couple of
hours while you’re mingling. The spices in this dish somehow work to lighten the richness of the pork
and take it in an exotic direction. Cooking the pork in liquid ensures it comes out moist every time.
Preparation time: 15 minutes + marinating | Cooking time: 2.5 hours | Serves: 8
1.5kg pork belly, skin on, boneless, in one piece
1 heaped teaspoon flaky sea salt
2 teaspoons coriander seeds
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground sweet paprika
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon turmeric
5 green cardamom pods, cracked
1 cinnamon stick
175ml apple juice
juice of 1 orange
175ml water
Score the fat on the top of the pork belly in straight lines
about 1cm apart. Rub the pork all over with flaky sea
salt. Place in a roasting dish lined with baking paper.
Grind the coriander seeds, fennel seeds, ginger, paprika,
cumin seeds and turmeric in a mortar and pestle or
spice grinder. Rub the spice mix all over the meat and
between the scored lines.
If time allows, leave the pork belly uncovered overnight
(or as long as you can) in the refrigerator to dry. The next
day, take it out of the fridge an hour before cooking.
Preheat the oven to 240°C.
Put the green cardamom pods and cinnamon stick under
the pork. Pour in both juices and water up to where the
fat begins so all the meat is submerged in liquid. Some
pork bellies are fatter than others, so you may not need
all the liquid. Roast for 30 minutes. Decrease the oven
temperature to 170°C and roast for a further 2 hours,
until the pork is soft and the skin is crispy. Top up with
a little more water if the roasting dish goes dry.
Remove from the oven, cover loosely with tinfoil and
leave to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
SUMMER GREEN SLAW
You need a great slaw in your repertoire, and we shimmy this one in a seasonal direction depending on
the time of year. You can also sub different dressings in and out depending on what you’re serving it
with – something creamy if it’s with barbecued meat or a vinaigrette to accompany something heavier.
Preparation time: 10 minutes | Serves: 6 as a side
¼ white cabbage, cored and sliced as thinly as
possible (about 400g shredded)
1 small granny smith apple, cut into thin
matchsticks and submerged in water until
ready to serve
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, cored and sliced
as thinly as possible
70g (½ cup) Chilli Maple Seeds (recipe P49)
small bunch of chives, finely chopped
small handful dill, fronds picked and chopped
flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Place all the ingredients for the slaw in a
serving bowl. Just before serving, season and
gently mix. Add your dressing of choice.

52 Magazine | Recipes
PISTACHIO &
ROSE MERINGUES
We associate meringues with
celebration – they’re a great
Christmas addition with loads of fresh
summer berries, lashings of cream and
fruit compote. Although meringues
are notoriously tricky to make, we
mastered some great ‘rules of thumb’
while we were developing this recipe,
and we want to really encourage you
to give it a go. If you’re aiming for a
white meringue like us, cooking at
a low temperature for longer is the
answer. We added a few drops of rose
water and rolled them in pistachios
for extra flavour, texture and fun.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves: 6
300g (2 cups) caster sugar
150g egg whites (about 5)
1 teaspoon rose water
40g pistachio nuts, very finely
chopped (use a small food processor)
TO SERVE
strawberries, hulled and sliced, and
sprinkled with sumac
whipped cream
Extracted from Fatimas
by Kirsty Senior and
Sophie Gilmour,
photography by
Vanessa Wu, published
by Beatnik, RRP$60.
Preheat the oven to 100°C fan bake.
Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread out the
caster sugar evenly. Place the tray in the oven for about 5-6
minutes until hot. Do not let it dissolve around the edges.
Whisk the egg whites in a cake mixer with a balloon
whisk for 2 minutes on high speed, until the whites begin
to froth up. Slowly pour the hot sugar into the egg whites.
Add the rose water and continue whisking on high speed
for 10 minutes. At this point it should have stiff peaks and
be silky.
Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Use a little of the
meringue mix to stick each corner of the paper to the tray.
Spread the pistachios out on a flat dinner plate.
You need two large round kitchen spoons about 6cm
diameter. Use one to scoop a generous dollop of meringue,
around the size of a medium apple. Then use the other
spoon to scrape and roll it off onto the plate of pistachios.
Angle or tip the dolloped spoon towards the plate, and
with the other spoon edge slide it snuggly between the
meringue and spoon to roll it off onto the pistachios. Place
on the baking tray.
Repeat to make 6 meringues, spacing them evenly apart on
the tray.
Bake for 2 hours. Check if they are done by gently touching
to see if they are firm and can lift easily off the tray.
Remove from the oven to cool.
Store in an airtight container, in a dry place at room
temperature for 2-3 days.
Serve with a dollop of cream and sliced sumac strawberries.

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Archives on show
Featuring a fascinating plethora of art – including a Warhol and a Degas – documents,
recordings, objects and more, a compelling new exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery
shines a light on the often hidden world of art archives.
INTERVIEW JOSIE STEENHART

Arts | Magazine 55
LEFT: Buck Nin, ‘Green
Valley’, 1965. Acrylic
on board. Collection of
Christchurch Art Gallery Te
Puna o Waiwhetū, transferred
from Christchurch City
Libraries Ngā Kete Wānangao-Ōtautahi
collection, 2025.
OPPOSITE: Melanie Oliver
and Tim Jones in front of
the Living Archives exhibition,
Christchurch Art Gallery Te
Puna o Waiwhetū.
Photo: John Collie
Living Archives delves into the Christchurch Art
Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū’s collection and
archives, charting personal stories about art and history
in Aotearoa. The exhibition explores how trends, taste,
technology, politics and social norms have shaped
record-keeping, and thereby how we remember and
think about the past.
Gallery curator Melanie Oliver says the show
embraces questioning but doesn’t offer definitive
answers, inviting us to reflect on artistic processes and
networks, as well as how art history is written.
“Considering the archive from an art historian’s
perspective offers an opportunity to consider both
how art is written about, and why it’s valued,” she says.
“We draw on the legacy of three key art historians
who were based in Ōtautahi Christchurch – Jonathan
Mane-Wheoki, Julie King and Karen Stevenson –
examining the links between their work and the
Gallery’s collections.
“Jonathan Mane-Wheoki’s influence can be traced in
materials like the invoices and telegrams authorising the
purchase of major works, including Edgar Degas’ Manet
assis, tourné à droite, which he bought for the Gallery
in 1974 and which will be on show in the exhibition.
“Karen Stevenson’s deep commitment to Pacific
art has significantly enriched the Gallery’s collection.
We’re showcasing several of the 57 works that Karen
generously donated to the Gallery alongside archival
materials – such as her correspondence with artist
Filipe Tohi – that illuminate the stories and cultural
contexts behind the works.
“The richness of our archives is demonstrated by
Julie King’s detailed notes on artists including Margaret
Stoddart and Olivia Spencer Bower, which will be
displayed alongside a work from Emma Fitts inspired
by Olivia.”
Christchurch Art Gallery archivist Tim Jones says visitors
to the exhibition will get a behind-the-scenes look at the
materials that shape curatorial decisions.
“Our archives are immense and include receipts, papers,
letters, books, floppy disks and more – you name it, we’ve
got it,” he says.
“Living Archives will look somewhat different from
a traditional exhibition. The aesthetic of the show is
exposed and imperfect, reflecting the nature of archives
themselves – always incomplete, flawed and problematic.
“Among the highlights are hundreds of exhibition
posters dating back to the 1970s, which will be displayed
on a dedicated wall.
“There will also be sound recordings – waiata, stories,
and conversations – showing that archives do not exist
solely on paper.”
Melanie and Tim, tell us a bit about the CAG archives…
Tim: Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
has an archive collection that has been developed over
many years. It contains the letters, diaries, photographs
and personal papers of artists and organisations that are
connected to the Gallery’s art collection.
This material can shed light on how, when and why
particular works of art were conceived and created,
bought and sold. Bill Sutton’s palette can tell us about the
paint he used. Olivia Spencer Bower’s photograph album
tells us where she travelled. Sound recordings allow us to
hear an artist’s voice and views.
The exhibition Living Archives is an opportunity not
just to display archival material but to think about how
material even enters the archive. Where does it come
from? Who decides what to keep? What is missing? How
is it organised and who can see it? What about digital
archives? How do archival collections affect the bigger
picture of New Zealand’s art history?

Could you each choose a work from the exhibition
to tell us a bit more about?
Melanie: Many of the works in this exhibition highlight
the complexities of collecting, the way archives are only
ever a partial record and influenced by factors such as
chance, politics or unconscious bias.
For example, we have included a beautiful tivaevae by
Tungane Broadbent and Vereara Maeva-Taripo, ‘Kaute
(Hibiscus)’, a form of quilting that replaced bark cloth
production as a ceremonial form in Tahiti and the Cook
Islands in the late 19th century. Tivaevae are often made
in groups of women who use the time making together
to socialise, share gossip and sing.
I think it’s important that archives can hold and reflect
these sorts of collective practices and crafts, to reveal
how artworks are often made in conversation and by a
community, rather than the output of a single person.
This tivaevae has heard many stories. Also, the
colours, patterns and techniques share narratives for
those who can apply their own embodied knowledge
of tivaevae history and making.
Tim: A favourite corner for me is the cabinet of
material associated with art historian Julie King. Julie was
a meticulous researcher who used the Gallery’s archive
a lot. The cabinet has papers and research notes which
repay careful examination.
In one corner is a gift from the daughter of Sydney
Lough Thompson whose biography Julie wrote. Real
objects of this sort can reveal connections and tell
powerful stories. With its illustration by Thompson,
even a tin of sardines can be archival!
I loved realising there was a Degas, a McCahon
and a Warhol next to each other – tell us a
bit about those three, how they ended up in
the archives and why they ended up on a wall
together in this show?
Melanie: Another aspect of this exhibition is our
focus on three art historians who were based in
Ōtautahi Christchurch and used archives to write,
sometimes rewrite, our art history: Jonathan
Mane-Wheoki (Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri),
Julie King and Karen Stevenson.
As well as teaching at the University of
Canterbury in the School of Art History for many
years, Jonathan had a significant relationship with
the Gallery, as an assistant, advisor and curator.
When Jonathan was studying at the Courtauld
Institute in London in the early 1970s, he was
charged with recommending works for the
Gallery to purchase for the collection. One year
he proposed the entire budget available to him
be spent on this small Degas etching and we’ve
included the telegram confirming agreement.
Another year he suggested buying this vibrant
Warhol print. The McCahon was an old
favourite of his, since he knew the McCahon
family from childhood.
I love bringing together these unlikely friends to
suggest a new reading based on the perspective
of Jonathan as a young art historian, what he felt
was important at that time, and subsequently
their relationship to us as a Gallery.

ABOVE: Ngataiharuru Taepa,
‘Te Mahara’, 2018. Oxides and
acrylic on wood. Collection of
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna
o Waiwhetū, purchased 2018.
RIGHT: Peter Robinson, ‘Cascade’,
2007. Polystyrene. Collection of
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna
o Waiwhetū, purchased 2007.
BELOW: Pauline Rhodes, ‘Land
Extensums, Banks Peninsula’,
March, 1989. Print from 35mm
slide. Collection of the artist.
OPPOSITE: Tungane Broadbent
and Vereara Maeva-Taripo, ‘Kaute
(Hibiscus)’, 2019. Cotton thread,
cotton sheeting. Collection of
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna
o Waiwhetū, purchased 2022.
Arts | Magazine 57

58 Magazine | Arts
“We’ve tried to reflect the sense of rummaging and discovery that you have
in the archive, that it’s a dense space with many stories and artworks, people
and relationships. We hope visitors find some new connections and ways of
looking at the familiar differently.”
You’ve also included sound recordings to highlight
that archives don’t just come in physical form…
Tim: Not all archives are on paper. The Gallery also
has hundreds of hours of sound recordings. These
could be interviews with artists, collectors, curators
or supporters. They can be informal conversations
or formal presentations. They come with their
own challenges as magnetic media decays and
formats change.
Just as with paper archives, context is important:
who was the interviewer? Why and when was the
interview done? Are the interviewee’s memories
accurate? Are contrary opinions sought?
Melanie: We wanted to question what an archive
is, or can be; to highlight that all sorts of things are
collections of knowledge over time, and there are
more diverse forms and ways of memory keeping.
For example, we’re playing Ngāi Tahu waiata
recordings from Te Hā o Tahu Pōtiki series, songs
that share whakapapa, identity and culture, and
pass along stories about people and events. These
are an archive.
Or we also have a work from Xin Cheng,
‘Seeing Like a Forest’, that is a video collecting
together private interventions to public space,
small adjustments to things like light fixtures,
that are a record of unofficial, communal or
democratic place making.
Anything else people might be/are surprised
about relating to this exhibition?
Tim: The first thing you see on entering this show
is a wall of exhibition posters, and, around the
corner, a wall of books. They look great displayed
in this way but there is a serious point being
made: exhibitions and publications are the result
of the research and storytelling that originates in
our rich and dynamic archive collections.
Melanie: We’ve also tried to reflect the sense
of rummaging and discovery that you have in the
archive, that it’s a dense space with many stories
and artworks, people and relationships. We hope
visitors find some new connections and ways of
looking at the familiar differently.
Living Archives, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, until March 8, 2026.
MERRY LITTLE
CHRISTMAS
A Big Show Of
Small Works
22 November -
15 December 2025
03 325 1944
littlerivergallery.com
art@littlerivergallery.com
Main Rd, Little River

25 October –
8 March
Free entry
Ngataiharuru Taepa Te Mahara 2018. Oxides and acrylic on wood.
Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2018
Premium
partner

60 Magazine | Books
A new edition
Founded in Dunedin in 1947, literary journal Landfall has published more than 8820
contributions of New Zealand poetry, fiction, essays and reviews. This year it celebrates
250 issues with an updated title and a cover by Waimate-based artist Dr Fiona Pardington.
WORDS PAUL GORMAN
PHOTO PETER MCINTOSH
ABOVE: Otago University Press publisher Dr Sue Wootton (left) and Landfall Tauraka editor Dr Lynley Edmeades.

Books | Magazine 61
The first thing you notice on entering Otago
University Press’ Castle St villa is the large
bookcase on the right. It’s chock-full of Landfall editions
in all their glorious incarnations.
Indeed, the collection and its bookcase present as
a vital structural component bracing the walls of the
publisher’s offices.
The magazines also look very tempting, lined up like
soldiers on a literary parade ground.
“Touch one. Go on, take one out,” a voice inside
says. I resist, not wanting to be responsible for
damaging something priceless.
But then Otago University Press publisher Dr Sue
Wootton comes out of her office: “Here, have a look,”
she says, diving into the bookcase and passing over a
copy of the very first issue. After opening it, the cover
comes off in my hand.
“Don’t worry, there’s more copies of that one
around,” she says reassuringly.
Sue is well aware of the significance of the bookcase.
“The voices in there,” she says. “The energy, the
spirit, the vision, the life-blood that connects them all.
This is a living thing, this kupu-creature with ink in its
veins and its array of multi-coloured spines.”
Landfall has just added another spine, olive green
for its 250th edition, and its publishers have taken the
opportunity to change its name to Landfall Tauraka, a
move editor Dr Lynley Edmeades says embraces its
founding principles and its contemporary kaupapa as
a “vibrant gathering space for the broad spectrum of
imaginative work being made in Aotearoa”.
Landfall, a foundation for New Zealand’s writing
talent since March 1947, is inextricably linked with
Dunedin and is an enduring jewel in Dunedin’s Unesco
City of Literature crown. Its relationship with the city
goes right back to its founding editor, poet Charles
Brasch, who continued editing the review until 1966.
In the past 78 years, Landfall has published more
than 8820 contributions of New Zealand poetry,
fiction, essays, art, criticism and reviews. There have
been 2566 contributors.
It has paved the way for, and solidified, many literary
careers, including those of Brasch himself, CK Stead,
Ngaio Marsh, Elizabeth Smither, James K Baxter, Witi
Ihimaera, Paula Morris, Allen Curnow, Denis Glover,
Frank Sargeson, Vincent O’Sullivan, Patricia Grace,
Fiona Kidman, Gregory O’Brien, Hinemoa Baker,
Eleanor Catton and Xiaole Zhan.
Among the artists whose work has been featured
are Colin McCahon, Ralph Hotere, Rita Angus, Ann
Shelton, Kate van der Drift, Grahame Sydney, Tony
Fomison, Michael Smither, Lorene Taurerewa, Thelma
Kent, Anthony Stone, Saskia Leek, Marilyn Webb, Tia
Ranginui and Fiona Pardington.
Otago University Press began publishing Landfall
in 1995 (issue 189), after a long stint by The Caxton
Press, until 1992, and a shorter one by Oxford
University Press.
In the publisher’s note at the start of that issue,
Wendy Harrex says:
“Welcome, thrice welcome to Landfall, the wandering
journal returning to its home. Founded in 1947 by Charles
Brasch, Dunedin citizen and benefactor, Landfall was
produced from his home in Heriot Row and later (1962 to
1966) from what is now the staff tearoom of the University
Book Shop, Dunedin.
“Anyway, Landfall is back in Dunedin. And we at the
University of Otago Press feel rather like Thelma Kent’s dog
on this issue’s cover, sticking our neck out as its publisher.
So welcome us, too, as we nurture this journal heading for
its fiftieth anniversary…”
Sue says it is impossible not to be mindful of the
importance of Landfall.
“I took this job on a few years ago and then it
dawned on me – I could see it coming; we were only
seven issues away from 250, and that’s quite major.
“There’s never been a New Zealand journal that’s
had this longevity.”
Atop that bookcase full of Landfall magazines, there’s
a framed photograph of Brasch. He holds a special
place in the heart of New Zealand’s and Dunedin’s
arts community. His philanthropy launched Otago
University’s Robert Burns Fellowship, the Frances
Hodgkins Fellowship and the Mozart Fellowship.
“His legacy is amazing,” Sue says.
“He would be really thrilled to see that Landfall is still
going and the kinds of work that we publish in it. It’s
interesting, because people often look back and think
‘Oh, it must be very conservative’, but you’ve got to be
careful that you’re not judging 1947 by 2025 standards.
“In fact, it’s always been, in its moment, quite a
progressive, open, boundary-pushing platform. And it’s
easy to forget that, because what that looked like in
1947 is different to what it looks like now. But if this
hadn’t been started in 1947, we wouldn’t be publishing
the range of voices that we now publish.
“These first issues, these first years, they’re very
focused on what it means to be a New Zealand writer.
Of course, it’s immediately post-war, so the writers are
mainly Pākehā men.
“And it’s a social critiquing role too – whether you
know that it is or not while you’re doing it – because
you can’t help but be the product of your society and
your cultural norms, and many artists are kicking out
against [that] – ‘Well, why is this a cultural norm? Why
can’t it be this?’.”
The acceptance of voices other than white males in
Landfall changed “reasonably quickly”, Sue says.
“The move toward a more balanced representation
in Landfall from women and Māori, along with other
traditionally less empowered demographic ethnic,
gender or ability groups, occurs in parallel with sociopolitical
changes in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a
flowering from the 1970s-on of creative work arising
from the Māori renaissance and from progressive social
movements such as feminist activism.
“But, of course, some of the older guard were
reluctant to allow that these new emerging voices
should be granted any legitimacy – by which was meant
legitimacy within the traditional Western literary canon,
which by definition mainly included works by men
working within Anglo or European cultural traditions.”

62 Magazine | Books
Poet and creative writer Lynley, a lecturer in the
English and linguistics programme at the university, took
over as editor from issue 242 in late 2021.
In an article on the university’s website at the time,
she said she was “decidedly nervous” she might find the
editor’s job overwhelming, but instead had discovered it
was a pleasant experience which she enjoyed.
“I went pretty slowly through everything, and was
so intrigued as to what I might find in the pile of
submissions,” she said then.
That sense of surprise and wonder remains.
“Certainly, for those first couple of issues I was quite
anxious, reading and re-reading, making sure I hadn’t
missed anything. But now I’ve gotten a lot more efficient.
“In those first few issues, it was like, ‘How do I decide?
What do I like?’ And then as time’s gone on, I’ve just
trusted my opinions more and my instincts more.
Occasionally I’ll say to Sue: ‘Can you have a look at this?
Is this really good or really bad?’
“I think a lot about representation, making sure
when I’m going through I have my yeses, usually quite
a small pile, and I have a big pile of maybes. Once I’ve
got the yeses there, I’ll look through the maybes for
who’s missing, and what kind of writers we need to be
representing who are already in that pile.”
From about 200 submissions for each issue, Lynley has
to distil that to about 30 poems, eight short stories and
several pieces of non-fiction.
So, what would clearly be a “no” in her eyes? She
answers in terms of what would make a “yes”.
“I’m looking for control – if I feel like the writer has
control of the page, the line of the sentence, of the
vocabulary. Also for something surprising – if it’s not
where I was expecting it to go, if it’s a strange subject
that I haven’t read about before. Or some interesting
juxtaposition – so it might be really formal, like a formal
sonnet, but about something really contemporary.
“You know that there’s going to be a lot of good work
that doesn’t fit in every issue.”
Lynley has introduced a craft interview series, to delve
into what Landfall means to its writers. In the first issue
of Landfall Tauraka, she chats with former poet laureate
and founder of the International Institute of Modern
Letters at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of
Wellington, Bill Manhire.
There’s more than words in any one issue, though,
with each featuring two commissioned art portfolios.
Lynley is considering changing this.
“I’d like to make one of them for an emerging artist.
We don’t run a competition, but we could, for the
emerging artist, open it up so people send in their
portfolios and we get to choose, just to make it less
work and a bit easier to find them.”
The first issue of Landfall Tauraka includes three
commissioned essays. Lynley invited Ash Davida Jane,
John Prins and Paula Morris to share personal, critical
and reflective views of the journal, each taking quite
different tacks.
“These three essays offer a richly textured set of
insights that, like all good essays, holds a mirror up to us
all. I only wish I had room to include a whole lot more,”
she says in the review.
Sue says Landfall Tauraka’s subscribers number “in the
hundreds” and she would love to bump that up into the
thousands to ensure its survival.
“Subscribing is the best thing you can do to help
us keep Landfall Tauraka alive and kicking, doing what
Brasch believed art does so irreplaceably well – expose
ourselves to ourselves, explain ourselves to ourselves,
see ourselves in a perspective of time and place.”
The physical journal is “something special”, she says.
“It comes back to the idea of having something
there for half a year in your reading space that you’ve
got to pick up, read through, get familiar with it. The
importance of it for New Zealand and New Zealand
writers is hard to quantify.”

Major investment in
time critical care
New state-of-the-art rescue
helicopters will soon be taking
to the skies. We hear how the
community can help get these
world-class machines in the air
and meet one family who knows
first-hand how the speed of the
helicopter makes all the difference.
Tracey Whitwell has no doubt her
son Garnett is here today because
of the Canterbury Westpac Rescue
Helicopter. She still remembers the
day he lay limp in her arms as they
raced for help.
Tracey and husband Harry were
working on a dairy farm near
Ashburton when one-year-old
Garnett became gravely ill. A nut
was stuck in the tube that takes air
into the lungs and was infected.
Tracey and Harry had no idea.
“We sat down for breakfast and
noticed Garnett wasn’t quite right.”
Tracey noticed his breathing was a
little shallow. Then Garnett started
going downhill, fast.
“By the time we reached Ashburton
Hospital, Garnett had lost all colour
and wasn’t responding to us.”
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter,
operated by GCH Aviation, was
called.
“Without the rescue helicopter
Garnett would have died. It’s that
simple.”
Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue
Trust CEO Christine Prince says
Tracey’s story is one they hear
often.
“When a life is on the line, seconds
count. That’s why we’re investing
in a fleet of state-of-the-art H145
helicopters. These machines
are faster with more life-saving
capabilities than ever before,”
Prince says.
The Trust has purchased three
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The focus is now on raising
$100,000 for specialist pilot training
for these machines.
“We’re asking our community to
give generously. Help us get these
world-class helicopters saving lives
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Westpac Rescue Helicopter pilot
Edward Fry says the H145 is
going to revolutionise the rescue
helicopter service.
“The H145 is hands down the
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Garnett in hospital.
The H145 is more powerful,
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For Tracey, the speed of the rescue
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Hear more about Garnett’s story
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When time is critical, your
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64 Magazine | Read
Book club
Great new reads to please even the pickiest of bookworms.
Fox
Joyce Carol Oates | HarperCollins, $38
A charming English teacher new to the idyllic Langhorne
Academy, Frances Fox beguiles many of his students, their
parents and his colleagues at the elite boarding school,
while leaving others wondering where he came from and
why his biography is so enigmatic. When two brothers
discover Fox’s car half-submerged in a pond and parts of
an unidentified body strewn about the nearby woods, the
entire community, including Detective Horace Zwender,
begins to ask disturbing questions about Francis Fox and
who he might really be. A hypnotic, galloping tale of crime
and complicity, revenge and restitution, victim vs. predator,
written in Oates’ trademark intimate, sweeping style and
interweaving multiple points of view.
Good Things Come and Go
Josie Shapiro | Allen & Unwin, $38
‘’Poignant, redemptive, electrifying.” – Catherine
Chidgey. After the death of their young daughter,
Penny and Riggs are struggling. Penny’s lifelong dream
of becoming a successful artist has stalled, and Riggs,
battling an addiction to prescription painkillers, is coming
to grips with the end of his professional skateboarding
career. At the same time, Jamie suddenly finds himself
out of work and out of options. He moves to his uncle’s
bach in the Coromandel, and when his childhood friend
Riggs calls the three reunite. At first, being together
feels just like old times, but secrets from their shared
past threaten their newfound peace, forcing them to
reckon with their history and themselves. The stunning
second novel from the bestselling author of Everything Is
Beautiful and Everything Hurts.
The First Law of the Bush
Geoff Parkes | Penguin, $38
It’s a beautiful day to be alive, Bill Dickerson thought,
seconds before he tumbled from the viaduct onto the
jagged rocks below… His death made national news.
But still, one year on, Bill’s widow Carol has received
no explanation about what happened. Was it suicide?
An accident? Maybe murder? Carol hires lawyer Ryan
Bradley in her fight for justice. Except the case seems
hopeless from the start. Bill’s employer is denying
responsibility, Carol’s friends are shunning her, and
the only witnesses can’t shed any light on the tragic
fall. But in small towns, nothing is quite what it seems.
Set in the 1990s in New Zealand’s King Country, the
scintillating new rural noir from the author of When
The Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole.
Some Bright Nowhere
Ann Packer | HarperCollins, $35
Eliot and his wife Claire have been happily married
for nearly four decades. They’ve raised two
children in their sleepy Connecticut town and have
weathered the inevitable ups and downs that come
with a long marriage. Now, eight years into Claire’s
cancer diagnosis it’s time to gather their loved ones
and prepare for what comes next. Through Claire’s
illness, Eliot has willingly and lovingly shifted into the
role of caregiver, but as he focuses on settling into
what will be their last weeks together, Claire makes
an unexpected request that leaves him reeling. An
extraordinarily beautiful and life-affirming new novel
from one of America’s greatest chroniclers of the
human heart.

Read | Magazine 65
SCORPIO BOOKS’ STAFF PICKS
Dead Ends
Laura Borrowdale | Tender Press, $30
A masterfully crafted short story collection, each one a densely layered nugget of
gold. Characters range from small children scared of the monsters under the bed
to post-apocalyptic vegetable farmers trying to survive. With many stories set in
the second person, the reader is thrust head-first into the worlds Borrowdale
creates, and left to stew in their intricate darkness. Themes of separation, overreaching
parents, womanhood and guilt are woven throughout the sharply-edged
stories with great care. Laura Borrowdale is an Ōtautahi Christchurch author of
immense talent, as this collection proves to all daring enough to read.
– Josh
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Kiran Desai | Hamish Hamilton, $38
Set at the turn of the millennium, this story revolves around two young Indians –
Sonia, an aspiring writer and literature student; and Sunny, a journalist with the AP
in New York. Themes of love, immigration, identity, family ties and societal values
across continents are woven through the novel. There’s a tragicomic element in
the contrast between Sonia’s sophisticated, traditional family and Sunny’s corrupt,
desperately socially climbing relatives, which exposes vanity on both sides. As with all
epic tales, the greatest challenge is maintaining the separate threads while achieving
cohesion and depth of character. To my delight, Desai delivers with aplomb.
– Marija
Slowing the Sun
Nadine Hura | Bridget Williams Books, $40
Generous with insight and intimate kōrero, this book begins as an inquiry into the world
of climate activism and swiftly unfolds into an interrogation of the racist hierarchy of
knowledge. These essays welcome us into conversations being had in the margins, about
our relationship with the natural world and the abundant mahi dedicated to protecting that
relationship. Hura’s words are rhythmically crafted – precise and sensory – it’s obvious that
she’s a poet. Each essay reveals the interconnectedness and whakapapa of all that is before
us, offering rich details of the author’s experience to deliver a truly phenomenal collection.
– Māia

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software so you can view the actual ring
in perfect proportion, allowing for design
adjustments. Clients can have any ring style
and matched to any budget with the diamond
or gemstone being the deciding factor. Virtual
CAD modelling, MRI laser scan, 3D printing with
traditional hand craftsmanship ensures the
highest quality at an excellent price.
QUALITY ASSURED
• Lifetime Guarantee
• Workshop Direct Value
• Free Design
Consultations
• NZ Gold and
Locally made
• Digital CAD –
future proof
• Repairs, Valuations
and Service
Freecall 0800 233 299
AwARDED: BEST RETAIL & BEST wEDDIng JEwELLERY
Christchurch Showroom
30 New Regent Street
Wellington Waterfront
15 Customhouse Quay
Auckland Showroom
95C Ponsonby Road
Online Showroom
polisheddiamonds.co.nz

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